It’s no secret that winning the rebounding battle goes a long way towards being successful overall as a team. From second-chance opportunities on the offensive end to limiting opponents’ chances defensively, controlling the boards ultimately gives your squad a better chance at winning.

Check out these simple and effective team rebounding drills that you can easily use with your own team. One drill incorporates the entire team while another gets players going 1-on-1 in a rebounding battle inside the paint. The following drills should offer variety, be extremely competitive, and can also be used at any level of basketball.

Offense vs. Defense Team Rebounding

Submitted by Steve Smith, Oak Hill Academy, Mouth of Wilson, VA

This competitive drill is a favorite for Coach Smith – and one he’s used for more than 10 years. Divide your squad among two evenly-matched teams. Start the players out wherever you want them on the floor, but allow for some spacing. Coach Smith typically lines players up just outside the lane or around the free-throw line area. This is a team drill that uses three, four or five players and also features three coaches around the perimeter.

The drill begins as the coaches pass the ball around the perimeter until one of them shoots. As this happens, players jostle for positioning. As the shot goes up, the defenders box out the offensive players and try to capture the rebound. If the defense secures the rebound, they receive one point. If the offense gets the rebound, they get two points. The drill is played up to six points. After six points is completed, switch the defensive and offensive teams. Then after two rounds, the losing team runs.

1-on-1 Rebounding Drill

Submitted by Stephanie Gaitley, Long Island University, Brooklyn, NY

This popular rebounding drill starts with a coach standing just above the free-throw line area. Meanwhile, two players start out on opposite elbows across from each other. The coach then throws the ball into play by taking a shot with a rebound. Now the players go 1-on-1 for the rebound. The player who gets the rebound will then turn and immediately throw an outlet player to the next player in either line. Another option is that after the initial rebound, the players can go 1-on-1 and finish the play before throwing the outlet pass to end the drill.

The following rebounding drills can be seen on Championship Productions’ DVD “Over 30 Team Rebounding Drills” as part of the “Best of the Best” series. Check out more rebounding videos in our extensive catalog by clicking here.